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Effects of finite size on the critical behavior of fluid films

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5698761· OSTI ID:5698761
This thesis presents the results of refractive index studies performed on films of a critical mixture of 2,6-lutidine+water near the lower critical point. The films ranged in thickness from 0.46 ..mu..m to approx. 300 ..mu..m and were confined between the highly reflecting surfaces of a pair of optical flats in an interferometer. Above the critical temperatures of these films, in the two-phase region, ..delta..n was measured, the difference between the refractive indexes of the two phases. Since to a close approximation ..delta..n is proportional to the order parameter, measurements of ..delta..n as a function of temperature map out the coexistence curves of the films.
Research Organization:
Colorado Univ., Boulder (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-S-02-2557
OSTI ID:
5698761
Report Number(s):
COO-2557-T1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English